Strengthening ties between Israel and PH

The Embassy of Israel celebrated its National Day on May 5 at the New World Hotel in Makati City. No less than Ambassador Menashe Bar-On and wife Madamme Eti welcomed guests from the diplomatic, government, business and society circles.

But even before its National Day 2014, the Israeli embassy here has been very visible with its various programs especially in November 2013 when Super Typhoon Yolanda struck the country.

Upon knowing this, the Israeli government decided to send members of the Israel Forces Home Front Command with equipment and medical staff in order to help the suffering people of the nation in their time of need.

In addition to this, over $500,000-worth of medicines and medical equipment was donated to the government to be used in the public hospitals of Cebu.

Because of this, the good relations and cooperation between Israel and the Republic of the Philippines continue to grow.

Various agreements between the countries have been signed and are being operated. The most recently signed agreement is the “Air Service Agreement” in which the number of flights was increased. The agreement also enabled Tel Aviv to be a stopover point on flights to Europe.

Moreover, investors from Israel consider the Philippines as a visible investment site and are promoting the country as the best in Southeast Asia. Among the top Israeli locators in the Philippines are Amdocs Limited, ECI Telecom LTD and Vishay Interchnology.

Currently, there are about $200-million worth of bilateral contracts between the two countries.

The Israel Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, meanwhile, would like to highlight the tourism sector as its plans to triple the bilateral contracts in the coming years.

We look forward to a continuing and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries.